Axle-lubricator.



" 116.315,84@ PATBNTED MAR. 2o, 1906.

-AXLE LUBRIGATOR.

' APPLICATION TYILED JULY2 9.1905

'UNITED smits.

PATENT OFFICE'.

l No. 815,842.

l Specification of Letters Patent.

" Patented March 20, 1906.

Application led July 29, 1905. Serial No. 271,752.

T0 .c1/ZZ whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, EUGENE LE FEVER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Rosendale, in the county of Ulster and State of New York,have invented new and" useful Improvements in Axle-Lubricators, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in axle-lubricators, and has forits object to provide a construction of axle and lubricator whereby asuitable' quantity of lubricant may be supplied to the axle-box withoutdetaching the axle-nut or removing the wheel from the axle-spindle.

. A further object is to provide a lubricator which may be readilyapplied for use and removed after the required amount of lubricant hasbeen supplied.'

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectionthrough an axlespindle and box and the lubricator applied thereto foruse. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the axle-spindle.y Fig. -3 is acrosssection through the lubricator on the line .3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4is a similar view through the axle spindle and box on the line 4 4 ofFig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail longitudinal section through the outer end ofthe spindle and cooperating parts,showing the plug applied to close thefeed-duct.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1designates an axlespindle provided upon its'upper surface withv alongitudinal lubricating-groove 2 and having a reduced threaded terminal3 for the reception of the axle-nut 4, which confines the Wheel upon thespindle. The groove 2 communicates at its outer end with the inner endof a feed-duct 5, extending diagonally in an outward direction towardthe center of the spindle and thence centrally through threaded terminal3, which is provided at its outer end with a threaded socket 6,communicating with said duct. The socket 6 isadapted to be closednormally by a screw-plug or other suitable closure 7, said plug havingan angular head 8, by which it is adapted to be applied and removed by aWrench or analogous tool. The axle box or skein 9 may bev provided withany desired number and arrangement of interior lubricating-grooves 10 tostore with the groove 2 in the spindle a sufcient amount of lubricant tokeep the parts lubricated for a desired period, the lubricant beingdistributed over the spindle by the rotation of the Wheel in the usualmanner.

l The lubricating device comprises a lubricant-containing casing 11,closed at its outer end by. a head 12 and open at its inner end.`

Operating in said casing is an expressingfollower or pis-ton 13,provided with a screwshank 1'4, mounted in a threaded opening in thehead 12, thus permitting the oasin to be moved longitudinally along saidshan by a rotary movement. From the side of the piston opposite theshank projects a hollow feedstem 15, provided at its outer end with areduced threaded ejector-nozzle of proper diameter to lit within thesocket 6 in the extremity of the axle-spindle. The bore of the stem 15is in communication with diverging passages 17, leading therefromthrough the ody of the piston and communicating with the interior of thecasing 11. When it is desired to supply the axle spindle and box with acharge of lubricant, the lug 7 is removed from the socket 6 and theubricating device applied by fitting the nozzle 16 thereof in saidsocket. The casing 11 is then turned up on the shank 14, thereby forcingthe lubricant from said casing through the stem 15 into the feed-duct 5and thence to the groove 2, whence it is distributed by the motion ofthe wheel over the bearing-surfaces of the axle and box. After thedesired amount of lubricant has been supplied the lubricator is detachedand the plug 7 applied to close the socket 6. By this means the axle maybe lubricated ,Without removing the axle-nut 4 or wheel.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A lubricator comprising a casing, a piston provided at one side with athreaded shank upon which the casing is revolubly mounted and upon itsopposite side with a feed-stem adapted to be attached to the axle andbrought into communication with said duct, the piston having passagescommunicating with the stem and interior of the casing, whereby when thecasing is adjusted the lubricant will be forced therefrom through saidstem and into said duct. Y

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EUGENE LE FEVER. Witnesses:

A. B. DU Bois, RALPH I-I. LEFEVER.

IOO

